The D-Backs already made their lineup deeper this offseason with the addition of Eugenio Suarez and the return of Lourdes Gurriel Jr. Now, the Diamondbacks can add Joc Pederson to the mix. Arizona has reportedly added the two-time All-Star after he hit 38 combined home runs with the Giants in 2022-23.
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A Look at Pederson
After Joc Pederson won a World Series with the Braves in 2021, the Palo Alto kid went to San Francisco and mashed. Pederson hit 23 home runs over 134 games, thrived in a platoon role, and earned his second All-Star nomination.
Pederson returned for 2023 after he accepted the Giants’ qualifying offer but didn’t have as much success. The then-30-year-old, who did times thanks to wrist and hand injuries, posted a .764 OPS and 15 home runs over 121 games.
The 31-year-old has his weaknesses at the plate, as he’ll often chase on changeups and breaking balls. But, Pederson does have a good eye that’s allowed him to consistently draw walks at the big league level.
The standout tool in Pederson’s game is his power. The new D-Back is a pull-heavy hitter but one with plus power. It’s a tool that has allowed Pederson to hit homers against hard fastballs, as well as drive out balls that have no business leaving.
Pederson can mash against righties and he was for much of his career. The 31-year-old has a career OPS of .834 against right-handed pitchers but just a .622 OPS against lefties. With a 28% career K% against lefties and little to show against same-sided pitchers in his career, it’s not a shock to see why Pederson has been sheltered so much against left-handers.
Just 52 of his 425 PAs from 2023 were against lefties.
Defensively, Pederson has not been a terrific defender and doesn’t have great speed. Pederson did see a significant amount of time in the DH slot last season.
Per MLB.com, Joc Pederson will receive a one-year deal with the Diamondbacks and a mutual option for 2025.
Analysis
Arizona used the likes of Pavin Smith, as well as Tommy Pham and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. when both didn’t play the field, in the DH slot last season. With Pham gone and after a .642 OPS campaign from Smith, Pederson should be an upgrade.
The Diamondbacks ended 2023 17th in the league in SLG (.408) and OPS (.730). Arizona received some very timely hitting from the likes of Alek Thomas, Ketel Marte, and Corbin Carroll that helped propel the D-Backs to the pennant last season. But, 2024 is a different year and Arizona will need all the help possible to clinch a playoff spot again.
Arizona fortified the lineup earlier in the winter with the trade for Eugenio Suarez and the D-Backs also retained Lourdes Gurriel Jr. With Pederson in tow, Arizona’s lineup — which in 2023 featured four 20+ home run hitters, including Christian Walker, but seven players with below-average OPS+ (min. 70 GP with Arizona) — just got deeper.
Pederson should be a near-lock to be a platoon player with Arizona and he can help a group that posted an average 99 wRC+ and .737 OPS (14th last season) against right-handed pitching.